What if we all did just one thing?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (60190)
April 24, 2026 11:47pm CST
Today, someone helped me with something that meant a lot to me. A good friend just showed up...brought some coffee, and the visit made a big difference. Sometimes, a person just needs support and a listening ear and a caring heart to be there...hard to explain, but it made my day/week! I truly do try hard not to complain about things...but I do get tired. We all get tired. Sometimes, I think emotional tired is worse than physically tired. Do you ever feel that way?
Anyway, not to be overly sappy here, but it truly made me think a lot about how the little things we do, or could do, can make a difference. I usually give my little things in the way of something to eat, because I cook all of our meals. A container of soup, maybe some muffins or a loaf of bread...something to help someone out a little bit when they need it. I don't have the means that many people have, but I can do something to spread a little cheer.
This isn't a sermon. It's just some ideas to make someone's day.
What if we all did this? What if we gave a bit of ourselves, saw a need and tried to make a difference? It doesn't even have to cost money. It could be a fistful of wildflowers...a bit of help in some way...a compliment, or even a smile or a hug. Anything positive to make a difference to someone.
We talk here about hard times, and we know some people really don't have anyone--not much family or friends. What one person can do in a very small way could make all the difference to someone. In my case, it was just a friend, some coffee, and a listening ear, complete with a hug.
We can all make a tiny difference.
14 people like this
13 responses
@rakski (157925)
• Philippines
25 Apr
@MarieCoyle yes, definitely. That would be the ideal somehow
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
25 Apr
Listening,caring,and just being there can make a huge difference. Like I said, it doesn’t have to cost money, just time and presence.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (210295)
• United States
25 Apr
You definitely make a good point. We could all do more if we just tried, and it doesn't take much sometimes to brighten someone's day.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (210295)
• United States
25 Apr
@MarieCoyle Smile yes, Have a nice day is kind of over used and overdone in my opinion sounds fake to me. I would say something similar though like have a good one..or even Enjoy..or enjoy your day.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
25 Apr
It really doesn’t take much at all. Even a smile or just a “Have a nice day” can make a difference to someone.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
25 Apr
@snowy22315
I agree, and I try to make the statement match the person. I guess I was generalizing, and I shouldn't have.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (504029)
• Italy
25 Apr
Too many think the a single person cannot make a difference, but they are wrong. Even a tiny different is better than nothing. We can help someone in need, take care of a relative with health problems, help a neighbor doing something, offering to cook for someone who cannot. There is so much we can do.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (504029)
• Italy
25 Apr
@MarieCoyle - My husband and I did a lot for my niece when she was young and alone without a place where to go. I am glad we helped, we also helped her mother, she had mental problems and we assisted her when she wanted to sell her apartment and buy one near her daughter.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
25 Apr
@LadyDuck
She won't ever forget how you and your husband stepped up to help her when she needed it, I'm sure. You made a big difference.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
25 Apr
I recently received several cards from some of Dale’s family. I never thought about them even knowing we tried to help him. We did take him soup and some meals when we could, which he always ate and appreciated so much. We read him his mail and tried to help him. His granddaughters both sent cards with sweet notes. His sister did, too. Son and I were both very sad that he took his own life. He missed his wife terribly, so we think he must be with her now and that’s what he wanted.
You are right, even the tiny things make a big difference.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54760)
• United States
25 Apr
Beautiful message. This made me think of my mama and what I do for her , because she passed in 2019 and is no longer able to do the sweet things she would do for others. I never leave my home without finding something to compliment at least a few people about in the stores, business, restaurants and such that we go to. I also make sure to show love and gratitude for what my husband, son and other family do for me daily.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
25 Apr
Marie, I try to do the compliment thing,too. You can tell the smiles that it perked someone up!!
I think your Mama must have been a very special lady. She taught you well. 
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254942)
• United States
25 Apr
I wholeheartedly agree with you. That was so nice of your friend.
To be honest, hubs and I try to make a difference in the lives of others and even animals. It’s not just about donating money, but picking up the tab for a family at a restaurant, buying something special for someone, inviting people over for coffee, breakfast, or dinner, sharing food from our garden, making a bouquet for neighbors just because, volunteering to teach read and writing to children who struggle, visiting those who are ill, lending an ear in person, FaceTime, or through a phone call, calling for an ambulance for strangers, helping someone in a restaurant who is having a heart attack or choking, picking up someone at a hospital who didn’t have a ride home, buying a bagel and coffee for a vet in a wheelchair, waiting on the street with someone needing their car towed and giving them a ride home, paying for dinner for a a couple of American students in France, letting someone in need have your seat, allowing a stranger to go ahead of you in line at the grocery store, paying the tab for a family who didn’t have enough money to pay for all of their groceries, etc., etc. These are just some of the things we have done. We could do more, and most likely will.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254942)
• United States
26 Apr
@MarieCoyle Thanks for saying that. We do it without thinking about it. So many people deserve better in their lives.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
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27 Apr
@DianneN
More people than I ever realized are basically not ever leaving the house, have little to no interaction with anyone, life has to be so very lonely. And of course there are people who need help, and there always will be there. I often think of Genesis 12...''Be blessed, and be a blessing'' which is so very true.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
26 Apr
It sounds as if you bless many people, that's very special and kind. And I know it is much appreciated by all recipients. Good job! 
1 person likes this
@Nawsheen (28761)
• Mauritius
25 Apr
I really felt this. Emotional tired is real… sometimes even worse than being physically tired.
What your friend did sounds simple, but it’s actually huge. Just showing up, bringing coffee, sitting and listening
And I like what you said about the little things. It doesn’t have to be big or cost anything. A bit of food, a kind word, even just checking in on someone can really change their day.
If more people did even one small thing like that, it would honestly make a big difference.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
25 Apr
Some people don't know how to listen to others. They just...talk. Maybe they don't know how to listen? A good listener is a wonderful friend to be, and it means so much to so many.
It truly is all about trying to do just one small thing a day.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56683)
• Canada
25 Apr
I completely agree with you.
I feel that I grew up in a very good time, people trusted each other and we all got along.
Maybe it was the time, we were closer to the end of WW2, and lessons were learnt during that period in our world.
I try to give people the benefit of the doubt-always, and I try to get along with everyone, even when it means that I must listen and bite my own tongue.
A smile and a kind word goes a very long way.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
25 Apr
I think a lot of people in today's society are...well, somewhat scared. So many things happen that aren't pleasant as we know--we hear about them constantly. Sometimes, I think people are almost afraid to be friendly, for fear that they might say the wrong thing and set someone off somehow.
And yes, there have been times when I nearly bit my tongue in half, I really do understand that statement!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (137081)
• Marion, Ohio
25 Apr
If everyone did that it would be a much better world
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
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25 Apr
You are so right,Eva. It really would make a difference.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
25 Apr
What a wonderful post and good ideas. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
•
27 Apr
The acknowledgement might mean a lot to someone who has no family or friends. It would be much appreciated.
@LindaOHio (223649)
• United States
27 Apr
I take all of my earnings from MyLot and surveys and put it into the dinner out fund. Then I can treat J to a meal as a special thank you for what she does for me.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60190)
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28 Apr
I know you enjoy going out, I hope you can again soon.
1 person likes this
